Nikhil Kamath and Kishore Biyani Launch The Foundery for Startup Mentorship

Together with Future Group CEO Kishore Biyani, the Zerodha co-founders have founded The Foundery, an Indian startup accelerator for early-stage companies. Combining aspects of a school, accelerator, and venture studio, the 90-day residential programme offers aspiring entrepreneurs an immersive experience from concept development to investment readiness, as well as the opportunity to obtain a 25% equity share in the company. In order to enrol for The Foundery, young budding entrepreneurs need to pay INR 5000 non-refundable fee.

In an X post announcing the program's launch, Nikhil Kamath wrote, "So, an idiot I know said high-priced MBAs might be a bad idea, so here's something different, and if you are among the lucky few that get admitted, not only do you get everything you need to build a consumer brand, but you also don't pay any college fees; instead, you get the capital and know-how to start the brand."

How The Foundrey will Operate

During its 90-day residential programme in Alibaug, The Foundery will choose 30 co-founders and approve the concepts of 20 companies. Applications for the programme are being taken until mid-January, 2026, and applicants must pay a fee of INR 5,000. Up to 25% of startups owned by applicants whose ventures are supported by The Foundery will be awarded.

This implies that in addition to receiving mentorship, access to investors, product and brand teams with AI stacks, and creative help, entrepreneurs also keep a sizable portion of the company they founded. Co-founders of a firm will get up to INR 4 crore from The Foundery for product development, launch, and early scaling in addition to 25% equity in the startups.

How The Foundrey will Mold Young Entrepreneurs

Aspiring business owners will graduate from the programme as co-founders of a funded, launch-ready company with full support from Kishore Biyani's Think9 networks and Nikhil Kamath's WTF. Additionally, the program offers guidance beyond the conclusion of the three-month The Foundery project.

The co-founders are "never left unsupported" and can work with mentors to rebuild and pivot the idea even if the business eventually loses focus or fails to take off. The Foundery programme accepts applications from mid-career professionals, early-stage entrepreneurs, and aspiring founders. Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Kunal Bahl, Mithun Sacheti, Varun Berry, Rama Bijapurkar, and Aakrit Vaish are some of the project's mentors. Candidates can apply for the programme via The Foundery website.